The most notable deaths of 2024

Romy Vitug, an esteemed photographer and cinematographer, passed away on Jan. 18. He was 86. 

The cause of his death was not disclosed, though it was revealed by her daughter Dolor that he was hospitalized due to anemia and pneumonia a month prior.

Vitug became famous for his work in beloved Pinoy films such as Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak; Haplos, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, Sana Maulit Muli, and Hihintayin Kita sa Langit.  

Jaclyn Jose

Veteran actress Jaclyn Jose died aged 59 on March 2 due to a heart attack. She is survived by her children Andi Eigenmann and Gwen Garimond.

Born Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck, the late star debuted in the acting scene in 1984 via adult drama films Chicas and Private Show. She later became part of TV shows like Familia Zaragoza, Mula sa Puso, My Husband's Lover, Marimar, FPJ's Batang Quiapo, among many others. Aside from acting awards from Gawad Urian and FAMAS, she also won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 for her role in Ma' Rosa, making her the first person from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to bag the title.

Zenaida Seva

Renowned astrologer Zenaida Seva passed away this year, according to her friend, writer Jessica Zafra, who announced her death on Instagram on March 21. The cause of her passing was not specified.

Seva gave daily astrology forecasts on television and became popular for her line: “Hindi hawak ng mga bituin ang ating kapalaran. Gabay lamang sila. Mayroon tayong free will. Gamitin natin ito.”

Gia Sison

We also said goodbye to Gia Sison, a medical doctor and mental health advocate, in March. She was 53 years old.

While the cause of her death was not disclosed when it was announced by Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda, she opened up about "dying" for six seconds a month prior due to aborted sudden cardiac death. "It made me realize that life is short and any time, it can just be swept away from you like a rug, so live life to its fullest," she told PhilSTAR L!fe in an interview.

Sison was the host of G Talks and one of the podcasters of Walwal Sesh, where she shared her thoughts on a myriad of topics like heartbreak, love, sex, equality, and mental health, among others.

Rene Saguisag

Former senator Rene Saguisag died at 84 in April, as announced by his son Rebo on social media. He is survived by his wife, former social welfare secretary Dulce Quintans, and their five children.

Saguisag was the spokesperson of late former president Cory Aquino in 1986 before he served in the Senate from 1987 to 1992.

He was also a human rights lawyer during the martial law regime under late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Floy Quintos

The year likewise saw the loss of Palanca award-winning playwright, director, scripwriter, and poet Floy Quintos, who suffered a heart attack in April. He was 63.

Quintos rose to fame for his plays and musicals like The Kundiman Party, Angry Christ, and The Reconciliation Dinner. His last play, GRACE, ran until June.

Bernard Hill

British actor Bernard Hill passed away at 79 in May.

He became famous for playing Theoden, King of Rohan, in two of the three The Lord of the Rings offerings as well as his Captain Edward Smith role in Titanic. 

Hill first appeared in BBC's Boys from the Blackstuff in 1982. The acclaimed drama bagged various awards in the entertainment scene.

Carlo J. Caparas

"Komiks King" Carlo J. Caparas passed away at 80 years old in May.

The Filipino comic strip creator, director, and producer rose to fame for popularizing Pinoy superheroes and comic book characters such as Panday, Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Joaquin Bordado, Kamagong, Kamandag, Elias Paniki, Tasya Fantasya, Gagambino, Pieta, and Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, among others. 

He was also behind hit films like Kuratong Baleleng and The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files.

Barbara 'Tweetums' Gonzalez-Ventura

Barbara Gonzalez-Ventura passed away at the age of 79 on May 28.

Known as "Tweetums," the veteran columnist wrote for The Philippine STAR's Sunday column From My Heart, where she opened up about her life experiences and musings.

A National Book Awardee (1991) by the Manila Critics Circle, she was behind the advice book How Do You Know Your Pearls Are Real? On Single Parenthood and Other Ms. Adventures, which she wrote for those who are struggling with being a single parent.

Later on, she pursued teaching and became a member of the Sunshine Place, a senior recreation center that offers enriching programs for seniors, where she led writing workshops.

Janisa Johnson

In June, volleyball player Janisa Johnson succumbed to colon cancer. She was 32.

The American import to the Petro Gazz Angels last played for the Philippines at the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference in 2019, where she earned the Finals MVP recognition. The Poland-based athlete went on to play for Radomka and helped the team clinch a solo second-place finish at the Polish Women's Volleyball League.

She was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2021 and opened up about undergoing chemotherapy in April 2022.

CJ De Silva-Ong

CJ De Silva-Ong—a visual artist, painter, illustrator, designer, and podcaster—died at 36.

Her husband, director Wincy Ong, announced her death on June 18, saying that CJ had two strokes. A week prior, he asked the public for prayers as the latter suffered an aneurysm.

A Promil Gifted Child in the '90s, CJ ended up pursuing a career as a creative. She held solo art exhibits and became part of group shows at the Ayala Museum, Philam Life Theater Lobby, Whitespace Gallery, Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Cubao X, and The Collective. 

Among her famous works are her illustrations for Palanca award-winning children's book Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin by Bernadette Neri; Gumagapang, Lumulukso, Lumilipad: Bugtong sa Mga Kulisap by Eugene Evasco, and Stupid is Forever by the late Filipino Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Manny Castañeda

Veteran actor and director Manny Castañeda died, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Joey Javier Reyes announced on July 1.

The late star appeared in the 1979 movie, Aliw, which marked his first break in showbiz, followed by other films like Oro Plata Mata (1981) and Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (1986) as well as television series Makiling and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. 

Castañeda eventually got into filmmaking and directed films like Guwapings Dos (1993), Ging Gang Gooly Giddiyap: I Love You Daddy (1994), Kailanman (1996), Sa Kabilugan ng Buwan (1997), April May June (1998), May Isang Pamilya (1999), and Shame (2000). His most recent project was Makiling (2024).

Bob Newhart

Comedy legend Bob Newhart passed away at 94 in July. According to his longtime publicist Jerry Digney, he breathed his last after dealing with several short illnesses.

The American stand-up performer became famous for his deadpan, dry humor that made him a television favorite during his time.

Newhart wore multiple hats before he became a comedian. He was part of the US army and served in the Korean war before studying business management and law, and working as an accountant while performing stand-up comedy and writing on the side. He was later signed to Warner Bros. Records, which released his first hit comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart that did not only win him Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Album but also helped start his TV career.

Chino Trinidad

Veteran journalist and sports commentator Chino Trinidad died on July 13 due to a heart attack. He was 56 years old.

Trinidad served as a correspondent and sports analyst for GMA Network for years. Outside media, he worked as the commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League and the founding member of Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. In May, he joined the Sharks Billiards Association, the first-ever professional league for cue artists in the country, as commissioner.

Shannen Doherty

Beverly Hills: 90210 and Charmed star Shannen Doherty lost her battle with cancer at 53, also on July 13.

Entertainment portal E! News reported that the international actress struggled with breast cancer in 2015 and went into remission in 2017. In early 2020, she revealed that she was again diagnosed with the disease.

Doherty stepped into the spotlight in 1982 via the shows Father Murphy, Voyagers!, and Little House on the Prairie. Three years after her co-starring role in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun in 1985, she landed her first big role in Heathers in 1988, which was followed by other hit projects.

Gena Rowlands

The Notebook star Gena Rowlands died in her California home at 94 years old in August. She's survived by her husband Robert Forrest as well as her daughters Alexandra and Zoe and her son Nick, whom she shares with her first husband John Cassavetes. 

It was revealed that she was battling Alzheimer's disease in late June. She portrayed the older version of Rachel McAdams’ Allie in the 2004 film The Notebook, who was also diagnosed with dementia.  

Aside from The Notebook, Rowlands likewise starred in Gloria, A Woman Under the Influence, and 2014 comedy film Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, which marked her last project.

Lily Monteverde

At 85, Lily Monteverde a.k.a. Mother Lily passed away. The cause of her death was not disclosed when it was confirmed by her son Goldwin in August.

Monteverde founded Regal Entertainment in 1962, and launched the showbiz careers of the likes of Alma Moreno, Richard Gomez, Maricel Soriano, and Aga Muhlach.

She produced over 300 films and blockbusters, including Mano Po, Shake, Rattle & Roll, Scorpio Nights, and Sister Stella L.

James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones died at 93 in his home in New York on Sept. 9. He's survived by his son Flynn Earl Jones.

The actor had a background in pre-medicine and the Army before he joined the entertainment scene and got his big break in the 1960s via The Great White Hope, for which he bagged a Tony award. He later appeared in movies like Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Sandlot (1993), and The Hunt for Red October (1990).

Jones famously voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in Lion King. 

Beatriz Zobel de Ayala

Ayala family matriarch Beatriz Zobel de Ayala a.k.a. Doña Bea passed away at the age of 88, Ayala Corporation announced on Sept. 23.

Beatriz is the wife of Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala. She was a philanthropist active in the Catholic Women's League.

She is survived by her husband and their children Jaime Augusto, Fernando, Bea, Patsy, Cristina, Monica, and Sofia.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith, who became famous for her appearances in Harry Potter films as Professor McGonagall, passed away aged 89 in September.

Aside from Harry Potter, she also portrayed Dowager Countess in TV shows and movie spin-offs of Downton Abbey.

Smith, who started her acting career in the 1950s, had two Oscars, four Emmys, and one Tony.

Liam Payne

Liam Payne fell to his death from the third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel on Oct. 16.

According to officials, the singer died at 31 from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the tragic fall. His body was delivered to his father, Geoff Payne, this November after an autopsy report, including several toxicology tests, showed he had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system during his final moments.

Payne was part of hit boyband One Direction along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan. It was formed in 2010 and disbanded between 2015 and 2016. He and his fellow members later pursued solo careers in music.

Quincy Jones

Music titan Quincy Jones, who was known as "Q," passed away at 91 years old on Nov. 3.

His music career spanned more than 65 years, having won a total of 27 Grammys for his brilliance as a trumpeter, bandleader, arranger, composer, and producer. Among the artists he worked with were Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson.

Japan’s Princess Mikasa

In November, Princess Mikasa died at 101 after staying in a Tokyo hospital for months due to stroke and pneumonia.

The oldest member of the royal family of Japan, Mikasa tied the knot with the younger brother of wartime emperor Hirohito when she was 18. They welcomed five children.

Song Jae Rim

K-drama actor Song Jae Rim was discovered lifeless in his home in November. He was 39 years old.

An investigation into his death is ongoing, though authorities have ruled out foul play.

The Korean star was best known for the dramas The Moon Embracing the Sun, Inspiring Generation, Two Weeks, and Queen Woo as well as the films Grand Prix, The Suspect, and Bait.

Mercy Sunot

Mercy Sunot of Pinoy rock band Aegis—known for the hit songs Luha, Halik, Sayang na Sayang, Natawa Ako—succumbed to cancer in November.

She passed away in the same month she marked her 48th birthday, when she had being free from the disease as her birthday wish.

The singer is survived by her sisters; bandmates Juliet Sunot, Rey Abenoja, Stella Pabico, Rowena Adriano, and Vilma Goloviogo; and her two children.

Robert Alejandro

Award-winning artist Robert Alejandro, who had been battling colon cancer since 2016, died on Nov. 5.

The son of Papelmelroti founder Socorro Alviola Alejandro, the late artist showcased his brilliance in his craft through book illustrations, visual merchandising, package and product designs, outdoor displays, among others. He also created pieces such as clay figurines and paintings. 

Alejandro enjoyed sparking inspiration in other people to make art. Aside from hosting his own TV show Art is Kool, where he showed how art is for all, he likewise conducted art workshops in the Philippines and abroad.

He also served as a volunteer designer for PAWS, Angat Buhay, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, ATD Fourth World Philippines, UNICEF, World Vision, and Habitat for Humanity.

Park Min Jae

Korean actor Park Min Jae passed away at 32, his brother announced on social media on Dec. 2.

Local news outlets reported that he died from sudden cardiac arrest while he was on a trip to China.

The late star made appearances in TV series like Snap and Spark, Call It Love, Goryeo-Khitan War, Bo-ra! Deborah, among others.